The Barbados National Art Gallery (BNAG) was delighted to receive the news that Block A at St. Ann’s Garrison is now its new home!
Small Island Developing States are home to less than 2% of museums in the world, and with the impact of COVID-19, it is estimated that 10% of museums worldwide that closed during national lockdowns will never reopen. This makes the presence of a Barbados National Art Gallery a beacon of hope amongst the devastation brought on by a global pandemic.
The Minister with responsibility for Culture, the Hon. John King has informed that the Cabinet, after consultation with the BNAG Board, has agreed that Block ‘A’, the Garrison is to be reallocated to the Ministry as the permanent home of the Gallery while a section of the Old Town Hall Building in Bridgetown will be made available for additional exhibition space.
The public of Barbados, and particularly the artistic community, has long advocated for a national gallery, most consistently since 2000. Successive committees and boards of the BNAG have been working with the Government since 2009 when the Barbados National Art Gallery Act was proclaimed, to make this a reality.
It was a joyous conclusion to a site visit on Friday, July 17th, 2020 when the keys to Block ‘A’, were handed over by the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Rural Development to the Minister with responsibility for Culture, the Hon. John King, M.P.
Follow the social media of the BNAG @barbadosnationalartgallery on Facebook and Instagram as we share further developments!
